The Day I Kissed An Older Man

Rita frowned. "If someone doubts my innocence because of this kind of news, I have no reason to marry that man. Besides, it's the twenty-first century now. Everyone has some sort of past, and only old- fashioned people care about whether someone has had previous relationships. Dad, you're not one of those old-fashioned people, are you?"

"Where are you going with this? Having a past and being defiled by a vagrant are two completely different things! I'm warning you: sort this out quickly, or you can forget about being a reporter!"

"Dad!"

Vince waved, his decision already made. Perhaps he had been too lenient with his daughter. Who would have thought she would be so careless about her reputation? Rita could have her freedom, but only as long as it did not jeopardize her future interests.

As Vince looked at his daughter, who had grown to be a head shorter than him, all he could think of was her future.

'She's still too young to understand that I'm only looking out for her. When she gets older, perhaps she'll understand my intention,' he thought.

Rita's anger flared. "Dad, you're meddling in my life! You clearly said that if I could achieve something within a year, you'd let me pursue journalism. It's not even a year yet, so why are you interfering now? This is far different from what you promised."

"I made that promise because I didn't expect you to create this kind of news! You've barely written a few reports of your own, and now you're making front-page headlines. Do you think that's acceptable? You need to consider not only yourself but also the reputation of the whole family. How would the company's shareholders feel knowing that the esteemed Miss Rita Russell has fallen into such depravity? What about the investors who bought stocks in our company?"

"In the end, you only care about yourOriginal from NôvelDrama.Org.

company, not me. If my actions didn't affect the stock prices, would you even care about me being assaulted by a vagrant? I've been home for so long, and you've never asked me what happened that night, or what happened afterward... What a great Dad you are!" Rita said sarcastically, tears welling up in her eyes.

Rita knew she should not care so much, but she still felt unsettled inside. After all, he was her father, yet he changed himself for that woman!

Vince could not find the words to speak, his throat tight with emotion. "You're standing here in front of me, so you're definitely..."

"I'm definitely what? All I know is since I came home until now, you haven't asked me anything. I know it's natural for you to get lonely after Mom's gone, so it's just a matter of time you find someone new. But I didn't expect that while you were also forget about me. Sometimes I

forgetting about Mom, you were

wonder if I'm really your daughter."

"Nonsense!" Vince slammed his hand on the coffee table. "When did I forget about your mother? I've never forgotten about her."

Rita genuinely found it amusing.

After all, how could he have shared a bed with another woman if he had not forgotten about her mother? Or perhaps men were naturally gifted at saying one thing while thinking

another.

"I shouldn't have spoiled you rotten," continued Vince.

Rita turned her head to wipe away her tears. "Whatever, let's just end the conversation here. I'll handle the matter, and I won't let it affect the company's stock prices."